Fire

 

Visitors to Caddo are often amazed by the age of the buildings downtown. A few old homes along Buffalo also prompt some nostalgic sighs. But if you read the old newspapers and look at old photos you soon realize that at least half of Caddo has burned down and been replaced over the years. There have been at least three major downtown fires, as well as numerous house fires. All of the old wooden businesses are gone, most to fire. Many of the businesses along Main Street vanished years ago. The corner of Arkansas and Buffalo is completely different from what it once was and I’m not sure what happened there. Add that to the number of homes that have decayed and the ones that have been remodeled and you get the sense that Caddo was once a very different town.

 
 

 

The Caddo Herald

May 4, 1923

Old Landmark Burns Last Monday Morning

Monday morning just before noon the residence of Mrs. F. R. Grayson was destroyed by fire.

The fire is thought to have originated form an oil stove, no other fired was about the place.

This is one of the oldest buildings in Caddo, having been erected some forty-odd years ago. It was the home for many years of Mr. and Mrs. F. R. Grayson. At one time it was used as a school building, then a part of the hotel.

Much history is wrapped in this pile of ashes.

 

Comments

[Sharon Brown]

Mary,
Is this the A.F. Manning home?
Sharon Brown

[Mary]

Yes, that last home is the A.F. Manning house- from a promotional brochure.

[Nelda Gregory]

I traced the owners of this home at the CourtHouse in Durant.It was the home of Will and Annie Blakney,when it was sold and torn down. We have many pictures of this home through the years 1938 -1962.
My sister painted a picture of this home and won First Place at the Amarillo State Fair. It was remodeled once or twice due to decay. My mother's family claimed it was haunted by a young girl. There were several instances of unexplained sightings and nocturnal activity. It is still a very favorite memory of all the Blakney kin.